Page 104 of 2204 Hunter Lane
“Let’s play a game, darlin’.” Hunter interrupted my thoughts, leaning back against his chair.
This is so weird.“What kind of game?”
“You always ask me questions, Bambi, I never answer ‘em. But I think I owe ya some now. So every question you ask me, I’ll answer honestly, and you eat a starburst.”
“And what if I don’t want to eat a starburst?”
He crossed his arms, chuckling softly. “Then question time’s over, sweetheart. Don’t nag me till you got a sweet tooth.”
Interesting.I didn’t understand why Hunter went through all of this just to get me to eat a starburst, but then again, there was not a word on this planet that could describe this man.
But he was right in his admission of never answering questions. So if I needed to eat some chew candy to get the honesty out of him, then I was all about it.
“Fair enough, Hunter.” I raised my glass, clinking it to his. “Game on.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Hunter
When she opened her mouth to ask the first question, it didn’t come as a shock since she’d been bothering me about it all night.
“Where’d you actually find this place? And why did you take me here? I could be wrong but you really strike me as the type to avoid fancy places at all costs.”
I cleared my throat and took of swig of champagne, attempting to savour every miniscule sip I had with one glass since I was driving. Yeah, there was no way in fucking hell I’d risk my life tonight, especially if Bambi was beside me.
“Google does wonderful things, sweetheart.” I began, catching the buzz her smile always gave me. “But I promised you honesty, so. When you decided to stay, I was happy, but the more I thought about it, the more I felt kinda bad. New York was your home, besides your shitty parents bein’ there but ya loved it. And your brother havin’ a baby an all.
“So, I wanted to bring New York to you.”Fuck this feels awkward. Bambi better enjoy that starburst cause this is killing me.
“I googled fancy restaurants out of Aurora cause God fuckin’ knows we don’t got none of that around there. Found Empire Point and thought it was a perfect fit.”
Before she could react, I waved my pointer up and down. “I guess the floor is supposed to mimic the feeling of lookin’ down a tall building to see taxis or people or some shit. And the ceiling’s supposed to look like you’re in the stars.”
When I finally finished, I met her eyes that looked like they were going to melt onto the tablecloth and turn into lava. Her chin quivered as she placed her tiny fingers over my hand and squeezed.
“I’m really trying hard not to cry.” She admitted, though I could already tell so I laughed.
“You won’t be the only one cryin’ if you don’t eat that damn starburst, Bambi, we had a deal.”
Like an obedient little dove, she unwrapped the red candy and popped it into her mouth, grimacing at first before relaxing her jaw.
“I haven’t had one of these in forever.”
“Is it good?” I asked, trying to think about the time I last had one myself.Probably when I was six and trick or treating for Halloween.
Pierre marched up to our table before Bambi could answer, carrying two small plates with a goo-like substance in the center.
“Pea soup with white truffle for you both. The chef is just finishing up the Wagyu steak.”
And he was off just as fast as he came.
I stared at the Shrek shit in front of me, unsure whether I was supposed to eat it or wash my hands in it.
When my eyes found Bambi, she had already dug in, shovelling a spoonful of green glop into her mouth.
“Christ, Bambi. Hungry?” I grimaced down at the bowl.
She dabbed the corner of her mouth with a napkin. “Hunter, try it. I know it looks kind of yucky, but it’s actually good.”
